Rachel Maddow's Blog, page 3353
August 12, 2013
There's that 'I' word again
Just over the last few days, we've seen prominent GOP voices talking up birth certificates and "death panels." OK, congressional Republicans, anything else on your mind? Sure there is -- Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Tex.) wants to talk about impeachment.
Watch on YouTubeEven by the standards of the House GOP, this one's a doozy.
"I think unfortunately the House is already out of the barn on this, on the whole birth certificate issue," he said. "The original Congress, when his eligibility came up, should have looked into it and they didn't. I'm not sure how we fix it."
Farenthold posed his own hypothetical solution: "If we were to impeach the president tomorrow, you could probably get the votes in the House of Representatives to do it. But it would go to the Senate and he wouldn't be convicted."
Looking back a bit, a variety of voices on the right raised the specter of impeaching President Obama over all sorts of things -- immigration policy, czars, recess appointments, DOMA, Benghazi, legislative gridlock, Syria, and job offers, among other things. In the spring, congressional Republicans went a little further, talking up the possibility of impeaching the president over executive orders that don't exist, gun control, and even budget deficits.
But my favorite thing about Blake Farenthold is that he doesn't bother coming up with a pretense for why he wants to impeach the president; he just seems to like the idea in general. Ordinarily, even the most ridiculous members of Congress try to come up with something to serve as grounds for impeachment, but Farenthold can't be bothered -- he supports impeachment; he thinks the House would vote for impeachment; and the Texas Republican is confident he knows what he's talking about because grumble, birth certificate, grumble.
Hey, Reince, how's that Republican rebranding campaign going?
State attorney in Florida: Stand Your Ground 'solved a problem we didn't have'
The Dream Defenders camped out in the Florida state Capitol made the New York Times today, in a sign that their demand for changes in the Stand Your Ground law is not fading away. The activists have been sleeping in the Capitol since July 16, three days after a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty in the killing of Trayvon Martin.
They have gotten as far as a meeting with Governor Rick Scott and the scheduling of a committee hearing on Stand Your Ground, to be chaired by a Republican lawmaker who says he does not want to change "one damn comma" of the law. Representative Matt Gaetz tells the NYT that the Dream Defenders are protesting for the sake of protesting, and he says, they don't know much:
"I think you have protesters in the Capitol today who are protesting without a whole lot of knowledge about the fact patterns associated with Stand Your Ground."
But the Dream Defenders are not the only ones in Florida calling for change. Just last week, I bumped into an interview with Florida State Attorney Willie Meggs, a Democrat from the generally Republican Panhandle. First elected in 1984, Meggs began prosecuting cases in Florida long before the Stand Your Ground was created. Since then, he has called it the "dumbest law ever put on the books." Last month, he talked to Capital Scoop, of the Tallahassee Democrat, and added this:
Florida State Attorney Willie Meggs
What the legislature did with the Stand Your Ground law is they solved a problem that we didn’t have and created some problems we don’t need. We were not having any problems with self-defense issues prior to the enactment of this Stand Your Ground law. . .
We were just not having a problem. We just were not having a problem.
If you listen to the full interview, you'll hear a reference to a case from 2008. In that case, a 15-year-old kid shot first, then was killed by two men with an AK-47. "The dead person is buried and the survivor of the gunfight is immune from prosecution," Meggs says. I don't know whether his 30 years of experience qualifies him in Florida politics for having a lot of knowledge about the fact patters, but that does seem to be what Meggs sees.
'They can mingle in'
Back in April, as the latest debate over immigration reform was beginning in earnest, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) raised eyebrows when he argued that radical Islamists are training to "act like Hispanic," so Congress should reject immigration reform to prevent terrorism. "It is just insane not to protect ourselves," he added. Insane, indeed, congressman.
Apparently, Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) missed the story at the time, because as Andrew Kaczynski reported, he made very similar remarks last week.
Watch on YouTubeThe audio is admittedly very tough to hear, but as Kaczynski noted, McKeon argued that "Arab persons" might leave the Middle East, move to Mexico, disguise themselves as Latinos, then enter the United States.
"There are people that can't tell the difference between a Hispanic person and an Arab person," the congressman argued, adding, "They can mingle in, and they can get in here, and then they can do damage."
So, let's consider the Republican message to Latinos in a nutshell: when the GOP isn't accusing you of being lazy and/or drug mules, the party's elected lawmakers are also questioning whether you might inadvertently help terrorists by looking like al Qaeda. (I was, by the way, quite fond of Kal Penn's response.)
Jon Chait predicted four months ago, "A drawn-out immigration debate commanding center stage will simply create more opportunities for conservative Republicans to say offensive things about Latinos. And make no doubt: however diligently their consultants coach them not to, they will say offensive things about Latinos."
And sure enough, this continues to hold up quite well.
Monday's campaign round-up
Today's installment of campaign-related news items that won't necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* The videos produced by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) continue to amuse, in an unintentional sort of way. This one, featuring footage from the Fancy Farm event, characterizes McConnell "as electrifying as Hendrix at Woodstock," Alec MacGillis noted.
Watch on YouTube* In Virginia, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ken Cuccinelli has generally put some distance between himself and E.W. Jackson, his party's even-nuttier nominee for lieutenant governor. But TPM reported that Cuccinelli fully embraced Jackson last week in private conference call with a group called Homeschoolers for Ken.
* In New Hampshire, former Rep. Jeb Bradley (R) said last week that "all the rumors are true" and he would take on Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) next year. A few hours later, Bradley said he "was joking."
* In Idaho, Rep. Mike Simpson (R) has an 85% lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union, but in 2014, he's facing a far-right primary challenger who'll have the Club for Growth's backing.
* Republican officials are reportedly "concerned" about the open U.S. Senate race in Georgia, where several right-wing candidates who are likely to struggle statewide have left the party divided.
* Former Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) has openly flirted with the possibility of running in New Hampshire, but last week hinted that a gubernatorial campaign in Massachusetts is on his radar, too. "I have a plan and I'm executing that plan and whether it's the governor or something else, you know, we'll soon find out," Brown said.
* And Gallup found last week, "Hispanics in the U.S. identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party over the Republican Party by about a 2-to-1 margin, regardless of whether they were U.S.-born."
Zombie lies prove hard to kill
Associated Press
A certain former half-term governor of Alaska insisted last week that "death panels" are real. The chairman of the Republican National Committee hinted in a similar direction yesterday. And complicating matters, The Hill published a report last week -- on its front page, no less -- with this headline, "ObamaCare 'death panel' faces growing opposition from Dems."
If Republicans are still talking about birth certificates, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised this garbage hasn't faded away, either.
Alex Seitz-Wald had a good piece on this.
Simon Maloy has already taken down the paper’s use of the phrase, but what’s perhaps more troubling is the newspaper’s larger argument: that Democrats are suddenly turning against Obamacare, and especially the Medicare cost-saving panel it created. That doesn’t really ring true.
The article has had its likely intended effect, however, snatching a Drudge Report link, a Rush Limbaugh shout-out, and links from all over the conservative blogosphere (and even some from liberal sites), and racking up thousands of social media shares.
So, Democrats aren't really turning on the idea of an Independent Payment Advisory Board and "death panels" still don't exist. Other than that, though, the argument's in great shape.
Honestly, how much longer can these zombie lies hang on?
August 10, 2013
This Week in God
Associated Press
First up from the God Machine this week is a story about Mike Huckabee, the pastor turned governor turned presidential candidate turned media personality, who used his platform to go after a specific religious minority.
Speaking on his radio program on Monday, Huckabee prefaced his remarks by saying that he understood it was "politically incorrect" to "say anything unkind about Islam." He then went on to suggest that Islamic teachings were to blame for recent unrest during the holy month of Ramadan.
"Can someone explain to me why it is that we tiptoe around a religion that promotes the most murderous mayhem on the planet in their so-called 'holiest days,'" Huckabee said. "You know, if you've kept up with the Middle East, you know that the most likely time to have an uprising of rock throwing and rioting comes on the day of prayer on Friday. So the Muslims will go to the mosque, and they will have their day of prayer, and they come out of there like uncorked animals -- throwing rocks and burning cars."
Huckabee later clarified that he did not mean to refer to all 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide. How nice.
The Huffington Post's report noted that destructive demonstrations are more common in the Middle East on Fridays, but "there are numerous factors that have made Friday the most popular day for protests, including the fact that most of the Muslim world gets the day off and frequently congregates in large communal areas to observe the day of prayer." For Huckabee to suggest prayer services themselves generate violence is unfounded.
Huckabee, one of the nation's most prominent religio-political voices on the American right, has a long history of provocative rhetoric, and these comments follow remarks Huckabee made after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, when he tied the lack of government-sponsored religion to the tragedy.
Huckabee has also falsely claimed that President Obama “grew up in Kenya"; he's endorsed “death panel” garbage; he's equated the national debt with the Nazi Holocaust; and has gone after the LGBT community with over-the-top rhetoric. In August 2009, Huckabee even argued on his own radio show that Obama’s health care reform plan would have forced Ted Kennedy to commit suicide.
But Huckabee going after religions he doesn't like is fairly new.
Also from the God Machine this week:
* Cathie Adams, the former chair of the Texas Republican Party, fears that congressional approval of immigration reform may "lead to an identification system indicative of biblical End Times."
* The Supreme Court is set to hear a case out of upstate New York, challenging the constitutionality of opening sessions of the town board with an official prayer. This week, both Congress and the White House weighed in, siding with the town practice. In a rather crass move, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has begun fundraising on the issue (thanks to reader R.B. for the tip).
* An unfortunate development in Massachusetts: "Monsignor Arthur Coyle, a top official in the Merrimack Valley area for the Archdiocese of Boston, was arrested Sunday and charged with soliciting a prostitute, after having been spotted by police circling around known prostitution spots in the city more than a dozen times in the past 10 months." Late last year, Coyle was given the title of Prelate of Honor by then Pope Benedict XVI (thanks to reader R.P.).
* And TV preacher Pat Robertson was asked by a viewer about video games, and he replied, "If you're murdering somebody in cyberspace, in a sense you're performing the act." Good to know.
Watch on YouTubeAugust 9, 2013
Links for the 8/9 TRMS
The full list of tonight's citations are posted after the jump, but if you're looking for Ohio State Representative Connie Pillich's Huffington Post article that she mentioned during her interview tonight with Rachel, it's this:
Is your uterus a budget issue?
Obama outlines surveillance reforms at press conference
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/08/09/19952176-obama-outlines-surveillance-reforms-at-press-conference?lite
Snowden leaves airport after Russia grants asylum
Russia Has Arrested a U.S. Diplomat It Swears Is a CIA Spy, Disguises and All
Russia bans adoption of orphans by U.S. couples
Russia's Putin signs anti-gay measures into law
Fighting Washignton for all Americans
Obama Urges Patriot Act Changes to Assure on Surveillance
Obama Proposes FISA Reforms Amid Growing Concerns Over NSA Surveillance
President Obama Proposes Reforms To Surveillance Programs
BULK COLLECTION OF TELEPHONY METADATA UNDER SECTION 215 OF THE USA PATRIOT ACT (pdf)
Governor Bob McDonnell Announces "This Commonwealth of Opportunity" Statewide Tour
McDonnell won't answer questions on Rolex
Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell to tour state amid scandal
Va. doctor who lent governor's firm $50,000 was offered medical board appointment
McDonnell adds to team responding to gifts investigations
Virginia Governor McDonnell Apologizes as He Pays Back Loans
McDonnell's daughters return gifts from CEO
Why Virginia needs ethics reform now
Cuccinelli Won't Return Gifts: 'There Are Some Bells You Can't Unring'
McDonnell: Daughter returned $15K wedding check to Williams; Cuccinelli won't return his gifts
Cuccinelli says he would 'just write a check' to repay gifts from donor if he could
City's last abortion clinic may close
Connie Pillich: Is your uterus a budget issue?
87% of McCotter petition signatures invalid
McCotter: "Strike Another Match, Go Start Anew"
House Speaker Boehner to attend Birmingham fund-raiser for U.S. Rep. Bentivolio
Ditching the Redskins, Once and for All
First Down, Fourth Down: Kirk Cousins stars as NFL preseason slate kicks off
Ahead on the 8/9 Maddow show
Tonight's guests include:
Pete Williams, NBC News justice correspondent
State Rep. Connie Pillich, (D) Ohio
The soundtrack of the evening! And here is executive producer Bill Wolff, with a preview of tonight's show:
Friday's Mini-Report
Today's edition of quick hits:
* Pakistan: "The U.S. Consulate in the Pakistani city of Lahore was shut on Friday with only emergency staff remaining on duty following 'specific threats,' officials said. The State Department also advised U.S. citizens against traveling to Pakistan. Most American diplomats and staff based in Pakistan's second-largest city were ordered to stay home."
* Perhaps my favorite line from President Obama's press conference this afternoon: "I think the really interesting question is why it is that my friends in the other party have made the idea of preventing these people from getting health care their holy grail. Their number-one priority. The one unifying principle in the Republican Party at the moment is making sure that 30 million people don't have health care."
* Also note, on the upcoming Olympic games in Russia, Obama added, "I want to just make very clear right now, I do not think it's appropriate to boycott the Olympics. We've got a bunch of Americans out there who are training hard, who are doing everything they can to succeed.... [O]ne of the things I'm really looking forward to is maybe some gay and lesbian athletes bringing home the gold or silver or bronze, which I think would go a long way in rejecting the kind of attitudes that we're seeing there. And if Russia doesn't have gay or lesbian athletes, then that would probably make their team weaker."
* Ohio: "The last abortion clinic in the city, Capital Care Network of Toledo, could be forced to close its doors within the month, which would make Toledo the largest city in the state without a provider." More on this on tonight's show.
* The first bill-signing ceremony in a while: "President Obama will sign the student loan bill into law on Friday afternoon after weeks of partisan disagreements and rising costs."
* Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) wrote a blistering letter to San Diego Mayor Bob Filner (D), telling him it's time to quit: "I am speaking to you now on a personal and professional level, and asking you to step down as mayor and get the help you need as a private citizen."
* If House Democrats are looking for House Republicans willing to sign a discharge petition on immigration reform, they should probably start with Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.).
* This really isn't going over well on the right: "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told KNPR radio Friday that he hopes Republicans' ongoing opposition to President Obama is driven by 'substance' and not race."
* And we talked earlier about Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) going birther at a town-hall meeting in his local district yesterday. Today, the conservative congressman said he "misspoke" at the event.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Obama outlines surveillance reforms at press conference
As presidential press conferences go, this afternoon's event was pretty newsworthy -- President Obama noted at the outset that his administration can do more when it comes to transparency and safeguards in the nation's surveillance efforts.
President Obama on Friday sought to get his administration ahead of the roiling debate over National Security Agency surveillance, releasing new information about spying activities and calling for changes aimed at bolstering public confidence that the programs do not intrude too far into Americans' privacy. [...]
Among other steps, Mr. Obama announced the creation of a high-level task force of outside intelligence and civil liberties specialists to advise the government about how to balance security and privacy as computer technology makes it possible to gather ever more information about people's private lives.
The president also threw his administration's support behind a proposal to change the procedures of the secret court that approves electronic spying under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in order to make its deliberations more adversarial.
Not surprisingly, there's a limit to how many details the president was willing to share during brief remarks, but a senior administration official told MSNBC today, "We mean this as a down payment on some greater understanding of what NSA is and how it goes about its business," adding, "This [declassification of materials] provides us the foundation to make additional information transparent as necessary." This "may" include information beyond what was leaked by Edward Snowden.
Also note, while Obama can make some changes within the executive branch, he will need Congress for some additional reforms, including a review of "Section 215" of the Patriot Act, which gives the administration expansive powers on collecting phone records. Obama also referenced in his remarks a panel to recommend additional changes, though it's unclear who'll serve on it or when we might hear from the commission.
Of particular interest to me was the part on legal rationales. In recent years, the White House has, on more than one occasion, defended surveillance efforts by assuring the public that there was a thorough review and the programs in use were approved after meaningful legal scrutiny -- but no one was allowed to see the conclusions. As of this afternoon, at least some of this will change, with the Justice Department set to release materials that explain the administration's authority in "some detail," along with "controls and accountabilities" of the NSA itself.
It will take to consider the changes in detail, and determine how they'll be applied and when, but it appears the newly announced reforms represent a step in the right direction.
Update: Adam Serwer had a good piece on the president's remarks, and here's a pdf of the white paper, released today, detailing the administration's legal rationales on metadata collection.
